Qianzhousaurus (Qian Prefecture Lizard) is a genus of slender, medium-sized alioramin tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaur that served as the apex predator of the Nanxiong Formation in the coastal province of Guangdong, which is south of Ganzhou City (previously a "zhou" - a prefecture - known as "Qian" around the years 583 - 1153) in South China, 67 - 66 million years ago, during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period.
Qianzhousaurus is a medium-sized tyrannosaurid estimated to be 2 meters (6 feet, 7 inches) tall, 7 - 9 meters (23 - 30 feet) long,[PhP 1][DN 1] and 750 – 757 kilograms (1,653 – 1,669 pounds) in body mass. As an alioramin tyrannosaur (the biggest of the three known, the others being two species of Alioramus, A. remotus and A. altai), Qianzhousaurus has a gracile build and long snout, allowing it to go after quick, small to medium-sized prey, likely an adaptation so that it did not directly compete with other tyrannosaurids with the usual large size and robust physique. As with alioramins, Qianzhousaurus has prominent eye crests and horns on its snout, faintly resembling those seen on the noses of some pachycephalosaurs.
Feathers[]
As with most predatory dinosaurs, Qianzhousaurus was likely endothermic, able to maintain a favorable temperature with internal bodily functions, or at least mesothermic, not fully as efficient as true endotherms, but not like ectotherms, which are primarily reliant on ambient heat. It was also likely homeothermic, capable of keeping its internal temperature stable regardless of factors outside the body, and is thus usually (but not always) warmer than the surrounding environment. In simple (albeit outdated) terms, Qianzhousaurus is "warm-blooded", and is thus able to maintain a highly-active predatory lifestyle, being quick and agile as opposed to being sluggish and lethargic like how dinosaurs were originally envisioned. This, however, comes at a cost, as such animals require a constant supply of energy for their body to continue functioning as intended. Hence, Qianzhousaurus must kill and feed regularly on sufficiently-sized prey in order to survive and stay healthy. Aside from bodily processes, warmth can also be further retained by other means, like the insulation provided by a coat of feathers.
For tyrannosauroids, feathers appear to be a trait exhibited by basal tyrannosauroids like the 9-meter (30-foot) proceratosaurid Yutyrannus huali (the largest feathered animal known so far),[1] with no evidence indicating their presence on later members of the group like Qianzhousaurus and T. rex.[2] However, given how Qianzhousaurus is around the same size as Yutyrannus and also lived in a cool region within China, the presence of feathers on it may be more plausible than it first appears to be.
Prehistoric Planet's Portrayal[]
Prehistoric Planet depicts Qianzhousaurus with red-brown skin, streaked with thin, vertical yellow stripes present from muzzle to tail, giving the theropod a tiger-like appearance, fitting camouflage given its forest environment. It also has what appears to be a faint, black, mask-like design that extends from its eyebrow crests to the middle section of its muzzle. Qianzhousaurus is also shown covered by moderately-thick plumage, which helps keep it warm in the cold, temperate forests of southern China.
While it has the most prominent snout stripes, Qianzhousaurus actually shares this feature with the other tyrannosaurs shown on Prehistoric Planet, and it has been theorized that this is a trait that they all inherited from their last common ancestor. While there is no confirmation of this being the case, Dr. Darren Naish, Prehistoric Planet's lead consultant, shared this fan theory, indicating a degree of support and plausibility for the idea.[DN 2]
“ As the seasonal winds strengthen, many of the trees in these temperate forests start to lose their leaves. Winter will be a time of hardship. Nevertheless, a storm does create a brief opportunity for hunters. ”
Qianzhousaurus lived 67 - 66 million years ago in the Nanxiong Formation, Guangdong Province, South China, which is depicted on Prehistoric Planet as a series of temperate, deciduous mountain forests. Due to the lower temperatures in this area, Prehistoric Planet plausibly depicts this theropod with a slight coat of feathers to keep its temperature stable. But to maintain their body heat, warm-blooded animals must feed more frequently than cold-blooded organisms, hence, to survive the incoming winter, which will inevitably be hard for all living beings, the alioramin tyrannosaur requires constant kills, preferably prey of decently large sizes.
Hunting Tactics and Feeding Preferences[]
Qianzhousaurus tries to catch a Corythoraptor
“ She's trying again. She's less-conspicuous in the gloom, and the gusting wind is distracting. ”
As with many predators, the female Qianzhousaurus is shown to be solitary. It is also possible, however, that she is hunting food for both herself and family, be it a mate, or hatchlings, or even a larger pack.
Qianzhousaurus is shown to possess a degree of cunning fitting for most predators. She makes slow movements and uses the little cover she has to approach prey unnoticed. She can also use the weather to her advantage, like modern predators today, letting the darker shade of an overhead storm conceal her as the howling winds drown out the sound of her movements. By the time her prey has sensed her, it is too late, and she is able to successfully ambush them and deliver the killing blow. Overall, in terms of appearance and behavior, Qianzhousaurus is depicted as the prehistoric equivalent of a tiger, the stealthy apex predator of some Asian forests today.
Appearance[]
In the fourth segment of Forests, as autumn takes hold of the temperate woods of southern China, a group of Corythoraptors feast on an abundance of fallen gingko nuts. But as they enjoy their banquet, a 9-meter (30-foot) female Qianzhousaurus sneaks in on them, hoping to catch one.
“ If she is to catch a Corythoraptor, she'll have to get close. There's not much cover here. But her prey have still not noticed her. ”
Even with little cover to hide her, the flock of oviraptorids have yet to notice the tyrannosaur. However, as she took one step closer to her chosen prey, they pick up the sound of leaves rustling under her foot. Deciding that she is close enough, the Qianzhousaurus rushes at the members of the flock, all of which manage to scamper away, squawking.
“ She has failed. But then, most hunts throughout the history of life fail most of the time. ”
Even so, the Qianzhousaurus tries again. As a storm forms over the forests, foreshadowing the arrival of the winter, the tyrannosaur takes advantage of the gloom concealing her and the loud gusts of wind drowning out the sound of her footsteps. Sensing the predator incoming, a Corythoraptor tries to dash away, but by that time, it is too late, and with a single lunge, the Qianzhousaurus grabs the oviraptorid by the back, finishing the job by crushing her prey's neck.
“ An 80-pound prize. All the more valuable since winter is now closing in. ”
Having earned her meal, the Qianzhousaurus picks up the dead Corythoraptor by the base of its neck and walks away, either to feed on it herself, or to share it with family.
Trivia[]
Qianzhousaurus is the only tyrannosaur presented on Prehistoric Planet that is a member of the alioramin tribe.
Qianzhousaurus is also the only tyrannosaur on the show that was never seen socializing or interacting with another member of its kind, as only one individual, a female, was shown onscreen.
